Don’t press panic button, urge docs
19 Feb 2015 6:37 AM IST
“Swine flu is not deadly. It is complications along with flu that leads to fatality. People don’t need to panic. Simple measures can help them in preventing swine flu,” said S P Byotra, senior physician and Chairman, Department of Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Swine flu an infection caused by a strain of virus- influenza type A H1N1, can be categorised into three stages. “In the first stage, the patient will have symptoms like headache, running nose, sore throat and such. In this stage, enough rest and preventive measures like avoiding exposure to the virus by not touching eyes, nose or mouth with infected hands and such are effective,” said another senior doctor.
Mild symptoms of flu can been treated by staying indoors and taking enough rest, health experts say that if that doesn’t help, medication should be taken. Anti viral drugs make the illness milder and prevent serious complications. “Exhaustion, cough, loss of appetite, chills, body ache, frequent mood swings; are the symptoms of second stage. In second stage, we advice medication for at least a week. If the symptoms still persist, then one should go for H1N1 test,” said S P Byotra .
In the third stage of swine flu, complications like pneumonia develop which may further lead to multiple organ failure. “Pneumonia, low blood pressure, breathlessness, seizures, worsening of chronic condition like asthma, diabetes mellitus and heart disease occurs in third stage of swine flu. Due to such complications, possibility of multiple organ failure increases,” cautioned another doctor.
Though preventive measures like washing hands regularly, using surgical mask, avoiding crowded places, taking vaccination for flu are effective, children, elderly, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases should take extra preventive measures and should go for swine flu test after onset of early symptoms.
“Flu can attack anybody. But adults, children and people suffering from chronic diseases like asthma, heart ailments who have suppressed immune system are more prone to flu. With the onset of flu symptoms, they should get H1N1 test,” said S P Byotra.
Swine flu an infection caused by a strain of virus- influenza type A H1N1, can be categorised into three stages. “In the first stage, the patient will have symptoms like headache, running nose, sore throat and such. In this stage, enough rest and preventive measures like avoiding exposure to the virus by not touching eyes, nose or mouth with infected hands and such are effective,” said another senior doctor.
Mild symptoms of flu can been treated by staying indoors and taking enough rest, health experts say that if that doesn’t help, medication should be taken. Anti viral drugs make the illness milder and prevent serious complications. “Exhaustion, cough, loss of appetite, chills, body ache, frequent mood swings; are the symptoms of second stage. In second stage, we advice medication for at least a week. If the symptoms still persist, then one should go for H1N1 test,” said S P Byotra .
In the third stage of swine flu, complications like pneumonia develop which may further lead to multiple organ failure. “Pneumonia, low blood pressure, breathlessness, seizures, worsening of chronic condition like asthma, diabetes mellitus and heart disease occurs in third stage of swine flu. Due to such complications, possibility of multiple organ failure increases,” cautioned another doctor.
Though preventive measures like washing hands regularly, using surgical mask, avoiding crowded places, taking vaccination for flu are effective, children, elderly, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases should take extra preventive measures and should go for swine flu test after onset of early symptoms.
“Flu can attack anybody. But adults, children and people suffering from chronic diseases like asthma, heart ailments who have suppressed immune system are more prone to flu. With the onset of flu symptoms, they should get H1N1 test,” said S P Byotra.
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